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MSRSHSLL  DEiJSCEY  HAYWOOD 


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Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians 


BALLADS 

of 

Courageous  Carolinians 


SOME  VERSIFIED  LEGENDS 
of  THE  OLD  NORTH  STATE 
FOUNDED  UPON  FACT 
FANCY    AND     FICTION 


BT 

Mabshall  DeLancet  Hatwood 


"Of  thine  own  country  sing." — Wallace 

"Od's-life!  must  one  swear  to  the  truth  of  a  song.'" — Prior 


BALEIGH 
KDWABD8  A  BBOUQHTON  PBINTING  CO. 

1914 


Copyright  1914 

BY 

Marshall  DeLancey  Haywood 


H 


g  To 


Wilsixn  d^ra^  ^umb 


^  president  of 

^  The    North    Carolina  Society    of    the  Cincinnati 


s 


in  peace  and  in  war  a  loyal  north  CAROLINIAN 

AND  A  WORTHY  REPRESENTATIVE  OF  HEROIC 

REVOLUTIONARY   ANCESTORS 


O  This  Work  is  Inscribed 

^  AS  A 

'^  TOKEN  OF  FRIENDSHIP  AND  ADMIRATION 
ill 


CONTENTS 


Old  Colonial  Days          -          -  -          -            7 

Roanoke  Island           ...  -                  8 

Blackbbard  the  Cohsaik  -  -  -  12 
The  Mecklenburg  Declabation  of 

Independence              -           -  -           -           16 

The  Masons  of  76  -  -  -  -  20 
The  Flint-Lock  Rifle — Battle  of 

Moore's  Creek  Bridge        -  -          -          30 

King's  Mountain         -          -          -  -               35 

The  Turkey  and  the  Judge      -  -          -          42 

Zebulon  Baird  Vance            ...  45 

To  Our  Confederate  Dead      -  -           -           46 

A  Toast:  To  the  Sons  of  the  Revolution  48 

Reveries  of  a  Tar-Heel  Scribe  -          -          49 


BALLADS    of  COURAGEOUS    CAROLINIANS 


Old  Colonial  Days 

To  the  present  let  us  bid  adieu 
And  with  the  past  commune; 

As  Holy  Writ  enjoins,  we'll  view 
The  rock  whence  we  are  hewn. 

Tales  of  a  brave  and  warlike  race 

~Mj  pages  will  unfold — 
Of  peace  and  strife,  of  death  and  life, 

Of  word  and  action  bold. 

I'll  seek  to  tell  of  men  long  gone, 

Of  long  forgotten  w^ays. 
And  how  our  fathers  wrought  and  fought 

In  old  colonial  davs. 


1903. 


8         Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians 


Roanoke  Island 

Ob  the  Landing  or  Captain  Ralph  Lane,  with  Sib  Waltbb 
Ealeigh's  Colonists  on  the  Coast  of  Caeolina  in  1585. 

If  sandy  hills  could  only  tell 
"What  deeds  in  ancient  days  befell, 
We  first  would  liear  of  Eedskin  braves 
Wbose  bones  now  moulder  in  their  graves. 

And  then  upon  this  western  shore, 
Where  Christian  never  trod  before. 
Bold  Ealeigh's  voyagers  were  seen — 
Sent  hither  by  the  English  Queen. 

Above  their  ships  within  the  bay 
Floated  St.  George's  banner  gay, 
While  on  the  decks,  for  action  set, 
Stood  culverin  and  falconet. 


Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians 


Then  Captain  Lane,  with  eye  serene, 
Gazed  proudly  on  the  quiet  scene; 
And  when  his  voice  the  silence  broke, 
In  solemn  tones  he  slowly  spoke: 

"My  noble  men — so  true  and  brave 
When  tempest-tossed  upon  the  wave — 
In  safety  we  have  now  been  brought 
To  this  good  haven  which  we  sought. 

"This  fertile  land,  so  fair  and  green, 
We  claim  of  right  for  Britain's  Queen, 
And  our  good  blades,  on  land  and  main, 
Shall  guard  it  from  the  fleets  of  Spain. 


10       Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians 


"In  Holy  Scriptures  ^ve  may  read 
A  man  once  took  a  mustard  seed 
And  cast  it  in  a  garden  fair, 
When  soon  its  branches  filled  the  air. 

"^Ye  plant  a  nation  I — may  it  stand 
For  all  that  makes  a  noble  land ; 
And  English  laws  shall  rule  this  State 
Where  dwell  the  happy,  wise,  and  great. 

"May  God,  to  Whom  our  fathers  prayed, 
Still  shelter  those  who  seek  His  aid ; 
And  may  His  favor  rest  on  all 
Who  gather  at  our  Sovereign's  call. 


Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians        11 


'So  up  St.  George,  and  down  with  Spain ! 
Long  may  our  Queen,  in.  honor  reign ! 
We'll  sweep  her  foes  from  every  sea, 
And  make  this  western  country  free  I" 


1913. 


12       Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians 


Blackbeard  the  Corsair 

Being  an  Account  ok  the  Matrimonial  and  Pieatical 
Exploits  of  a  Noted  Navigatoe. 

On  the  coast  of  Carolina, 

In  the  dim  and  distant  past, 
Lived  a  gay  and  fearless  pirate, 

Who  could  weather  any  blast; 
And  all  the  ladies  madly  loved 

This  buccaneer  so  bold, 
Who  wore  a  gorgeous  uniform 

With  epaulets  of  gold. 

He  had  thirteen  loving  spouses 

To  share  his  earthly  joys. 
He  had  several  hundred  daughters 

And  ninety  little  boys; 
And  when  within  the  nursery 

These  brats  began  to  cry, 
He'd  start  out  on  a  voyage — 

In  a  ship  he  didn't  buy. 


Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians       13 


He  raised  his  sable  standard 

Beside  the  Spanish  main, 
Then  scuttled  twenty  galleons, 

And  started  north  again; 
In  bleak  New  England's  waters 

He  rode  before  the  gale, 
And  for  the  coast  of  Africa 

Put  forth  his  dreaded  sail. 

Along  the  sands  of  Guinea 

He  went  in  search  of  gold, 
And  came  off  with  some  natives 

Stored  snugly  in  his  hold; 
When  he  was  home  again,  he  said 

He'd  sell  his  human  goods 
To  planters  on  the  Albemarle 

In  Carolina's  woods. 


14       Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians 


Then  he  returned  to  Ocracoke 

And,  as  he  looked  around, 
He  thought  he  saw  two  merchant  ships 

Come  sailing  through  the  sound ; 
"We'll  take  these  now,"  the  corsair  said, 

"And  soon  will  have  them  plundered" — 
But,  as  he  spoke  these  careless  words, 

Two  crashing  broadsides  thundered ! 

What  he  had  thought  were  merchant  ships, 

Like  drones  without  a  sting. 
Were  sloops  of  war  from  Hampton  Roads, 

Sent  out  by  England's  King ! 
They  shot  the  pirate's  sails  to  shreds, 

They  slaughtered  all  his  crew, 
They  made  his  boat  a  floating  wreck, 

And  cut  his  neck  in  two. 


Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians        15 


High  on  a  mast  his  head  they  kept — 

A  warning  sad  and  dire ! — 
While  all  his  little  children  wept 

To  lose  their  noble  sire; 
And  all  his  winsome  widows,  too, 

With  grief  would  nearly  choke 
When  thinking  of  their  lover  true 

Who  died  at  Ocracoke. 

So  now,  my  friends,  to  end  this  lay, 

A  moral  let  me  press — 
Don't  act  as  did  this  rover  gay 

And  marry  to  excess; 
For  wives  galore  engender  strife. 

And  you  will  have  to  roam, 
Or  pass  away  your  weary  life 

With  squalling  babes  at  home. 


16        Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians 


The  Mecklenburg  Declaration 
of  Independence 

At  Charlotte,  N.  C,  Mat  20,  1775. 

You  have  heard  of  bloody  exploits 

And  deeds  of  daring  done; 
You  have  heard  of  matchless  valor, 

In  battles,  lost  and  v^'on; 
You  have  heard  of  armies  fighting 

With  frenzied  desperation. 
But  what  I  now  relate  was  done 

With  cool  deliberation. 

The  patriots  of  Mecklenburg 

Were  men  of  spirit  bold, 
Who  scorned  to  wear  a  tyrant's  chains. 

Or  profit  by  his  gold  ; 
They  loved  their  native  forests, 

Their  mountains  and  their  streams. 
And  freedom  was  the  only  thought 

That  filled  their  daily  dreams. 


Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinmns 


So  to  the  trusty  Polk  they  said: 

*'The  time  still  nearer  draws, 
When  we  shall  strike  our  fetters  olf, 

Or  die  in  Freedom's  cause; 
Bo  watchful  of  our  sacred  rights, 

We'll  gather  at  your  call. 
And,  rising  in  our  righteous  wrath, 

Will  break  our  country's  thrall.'' 

With  this  they  journeyed  homeward. 

To  rest  until  the  day 
That  they  were  called  together 

In  the  pleasant  month  of  3ilay ; 
And  then,  in  solemn  council. 

They  gathered  to  proclaim 
'Twas  death  to  aid  op}iressors. 

Or  their  country's  honor  >hame. 


18        Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians 


Then  rang  with  fierce  defiance : 

''We'll  serve  no  earthlj  king ! 
They've  stirred  the  dreaded  'Hornets'  ISTest/ 

They'll  feel  the  hornets'  sting ! 
Our  countrymen  at  Lexington 

Inhumanly  were  slain, 
And  now,  with  God's  assistance, 

Our  freedom  will  we  gain  !" 

Then  came  the  Revolution 

That  shook  this  mighty  land. 
And  the  thundering  of  cannon 

Was  heard  on  every  hand ; 
Our  rifles  dealt  destruction 

From  the  mountains  to  the  sea, 
And  the  people  of  America 

Became  forever  free. 


Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians        19 


All  hail  to  Carolina! 

First  of  the  '-Old  Thirteen" 
To  face  the  wrath  of  Britain's  King 

With  calm  and  fearless  mien ; 
All  honor  to  old  ^Tecklenburg 

And  her  great  Declaration, 
And  to  the  men  who  first  conceived 

The  freedom  of  our  Xation. 


1893. 


20        Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians 


The  Masons  of  76 

A  TALE  OF  THE  Grand  Lodge  of  America,  at  Halifax,  Noeth 
Carolina,  which  ceased  work  during  the  War  of  the 
Revolution  in  consequence  of  the  facts  that  Provim- 
ciAL  Grand  Master  Joseph  Montfort  expired  at  thk 
beginning  of  hostilities,  Dkputy  Provincial  Grand 
Master  Cornelius  Harnett  died  in  a  British  prison  at 
Wilmington,  and  Provincial  Grand  Secretary  Wil- 
liam Beimage  was  exiled  foe  Toryism  by  the  Ameri- 
cans. 

In  Halifax,  renowned  of  old, 
I've  heard  a  stirring  legend  told, 
How  Masons  of  an  ancient  day 
Were  ruled  bj  Montfort's  gentle  sway. 

Their  working-tools  they  wielded  long. 
Then  closed  the  Lodge  with  happy  song; 
Or  round  the  table  formed  a  ring 
And  drained  their  cups  '"to  Craft  and  King." 

Yet  once,  when  Montfort  took  his  place, 
A  troubled  look  was  on  his  face. 
While  Harnett,  in  his  apron  white, 
Sat  silent  at  the  Master's  richt. 


Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians        21 


The  visiting  Brethren,  one  and  all, 
Were  welcomed  to  the  spacious  hall, 
And  Brimage  made  a  record  fair 
Of  all  the  Craftsmen  gathered  there. 

"My  Brothers,"  said  the  Master  old, 
''Sad  tidings  for  the  Craft  I  hold ; 
The  King,  whom  we  have  honored  long, 
Xow  seeks  to  do  our  country  wrong. 

"His  forces  march  and  take  the  field 
To  conquer  all  who  will  not  yield  ; 
His  free-born  subjects  he  defies. 
And  all  their  chartered  rights  denies. 


22        Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians 


*'If  for  the  King  we  take  our  stand, 
We  prove  untrue  to  this  fair  land ; 
If  to  the  land  such  help  we  bring, 
We  fight  the  armies  of  our  king. 

"I've  told  you  this  unwelcome  news, 
And  listen  now  to  hear  your  views ; 
In  this,  our  sad  perplexing  plight. 
Wise  counsels  yet  may  guide  us  right." 

Then  up  rose  Brimage  in  his  place, 
To  Montfort  bowed  with  courtly  grace. 
And  to  the  Lodge,  assembled  there, 
Hastened  his  homage  to  declare. 


Ballads  of  (■ourageous  Carolinians        2o 


''Most  Worshipful/'  he  slowly  said, 
"In  England  1  was  born  and  bred, 
And  to  this  far-otf  western  land 
I  journeyed  at  nij  King's  command. 

''Sworn  to  maintain  his  righteous  laws. 
If  war  must  come,  I'll  back  his  cause; 
Take  heed,  lest  treason  on  you  bring 
The  vengeance  of  our  country's  King. 

"Forever  honored  be  his  name, 
And  may  we  all  uphold  his  fame ! 
Call  me  a  Tory  if  you  will — 
To  good  King  George  I'm  loyal  still." 


24       Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians 


Then  Harnett  rose,  with  heart  of  fire, 
By  long  oppression  roused  to  ire, 
And  curses  loud  he  showered  down, 
On  all  adherents  of  the  Crown. 

In  scornful  tones  rang  out  his  cry : 
"Let  cowards  yield  who  fear  to  die ! 
But  rest  assured,  my  Brothers  all. 
With  freedom's  friends  I'll  stand  or  fall. 

"Our  fathers,  reared  on  English  soil, 
Were  long  inured  to  hlood  and  toil ; 
They  swept  the  Spaniards  from  the  sea. 
And  founded  hero  a  country  free. 


Ballads  of  Coiinif/enii-s  (Uirolinians 


•'Shall  we,  the  sons  of  such  a  racCj 
Our  sacred  heritage  disgrace  ^ 
Better  the  gibbet  and  the  grave 
Than  creep  on  earth,  a  cringing  slave  I 

"Grand  j\lastcr  Warren  gave  his  life 
At  Bunker  ilill,  in  deadly  strife; 
And  Masons  here,  in  brave  array, 
Have  fought  where  (''aswell  led  tlie  way." 

Beneath  the  Lodge's  windows  then 
There  passed  a  line  of  mounted  men. 
While  blatant  bugles,  ringing  clear, 
Awoke  the  echoes  far  and  near. 


26        Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians 


A  banner  strange  these  horsemen  bore 
Which  none  had  ever  seen  before ; 
Fair  were  its  white  and  crimson  bars 
And  azure  field,  bedecked  with  stars. 

Three  gallant  soldiers,  Craftsmen  all, 
J^ow  sought  the  old  ]\f  asonic  Hall ; 
And  by  their  grips  and  tokens  true 
Soon  passed  the  portals  safely  through. 

Patten  and  Lamb,  and  Murfree  too, 
In  uniforms  of  buff  and  blue. 
With  sabres  dangling  at  their  side, 
All  entered  with  a  hasty  stride. 


Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians        2' 


'"Short  time  for  greetings  have  we  here!" 
Bold  Patten  cried,  in  accents  clear, 

''With  our  brave  men  we're  riding  post 
To  Washington's  beleaguered  host. 

''From  this  old  State,  so  dear  to  all, 
Southward  wo  heard  our  country's  call ; 
And  bloody  fields  the  tale  can  tell 
We  tried  to  do  our  duty  well. 

"Our  troops  are  camped  within  your  town, 
But,  ere  another  sun  goes  down. 
We'll  strike  our  tents  and  northward  go 
To  seek  again  the  hated  foe. 


28        Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians 


'America  has  sought  redress 
And  shown  the  cause  of  her  distress ; 
But  England's  monarch  fiercely  swore 
He  ne'er  wonld  treat  with  rebels  more." 

"Farewell  to  peace/'  said  Montfort  then, 
'You  now  must  fight  like  free-horn  men, 

Since  by  their  conduct  well  we  know 

The  purpose  of  the  coming  foe. 

'But  here  on  earth  I  cannot  stay. 
For  sickness  holds  me  in  its  sway; 
God  have  you  in  His  keeping  long 
And  shield  our  land  from  force  and  wronffi 


Ballads  of  Courarjeons  Carolmmns        20 


'With  fond  farewell,  and  wishes  warm, 
I  close  this  J.odge  in  Ample  Form ; 
^[ay  Heaven's  richest  blessings  fall 
On  all  the  ^Masons  in  this  hall  I" 

When  next  the  Craft  in  session  met, 
The  sun  of  Montfort's  life  had  set ; 
Thus  closed  the  Master's  honored  sway 
Thus  passed  his  noble  soul  away. 


30        Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians 


The  Flint-Lock  Rifle 

A  Tale  or  thk  First  Whig  Victoky  or  the  Revoll'tion  at 
Moore's  Creek  Bridge,  North  Carolixa,  Febeuaey  27, 
1776. 

A  rifle  on  mj  chimney  hnng 

With  lock  of  flint  and  steel — 
A  piece  whose  snninions  sharp  had  rung 

Beside  the  cannon's  peal 
When  patriots  for  freedom  fought, 

When  waved  their  blades  in  air 
Around  the  homes  their  sires  had  sought 

j\Iid  Indian  forests  fair. 

Within  an  arm-chair's  warm  embrace 

In  weariness  I  lay, 
Before  a  cheerful  fireplace 

Which  drove  dull  care  away ; 
Then  gazing  on  the  weapon  grim, 

I  thought  upon  the  past, 
iN^or  recked  I  that  my  blaze  grew  dim, 

And  wintry  was  the  blast. 


Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians       31 


And  now,  it  seems,  in  vision  clear, 

Another  scene  I  see — 
In  comes  an  ancient  pioneer 

And  doffs  his  cap  to  me ; 
Around  the  room  he  casts  his  eyes 

Till  on  the  gun  they  fall, 
And  then,  unheeding  my  surprise, 

He  lifts  it  from  the  wall. 

"In  spirit  land  I  long  have  dwelt," 

He  thus  his  tale  began, 
"And  in  the  silent  hours  have  felt 
So  far  remote  from  man 
That  o'er  the  earth  my  eyes  were  cast 

To  find  some  token  old, 
And  fate  rewards  my  search  at  last 
With  this  dear  prize  I  hold. 


32       Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians 


"This  rifle  true,  now  owned  by  you, 

Was  once  my  pride  and  trust, 
It  heard  the  red  man's  fierce  halloo, 

And  dashed  him  to  the  dust; 
In  peace,  it  filled  my  board  with  game, 

In  war,  it  played  its  part. 
And  when  the  Tories  charging  came 

It  found  their  leader's  heart. 

^^Recalling  now  the  years  long  dead, 

Methinks  again  I  hear 
MacDonald's  Highland  legions  tread 

The  pathway  to  Cape  Fear; 
A  winding  creek  they  soon  behold, 

Spanned  by  a  bridge  of  pine, 
Where,  like  the  Spartan  host  of  old. 

Stands  drawn  our  battle  line. 


Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians       33 


"'King  George   and  broadswords!'   fierce  and 
loud 
Next  rings  their  slogan  call, 
As  the  great  chieftain,  brave  MacLeod, 

Comes  rushing  to  his  fall ; 
Yet  onward  still,  with  charge  and  cheer, 

His  clansmen  press  the  fight, 
As  paladins,  unknown  to  fear, 
With  claymores  long  and  bright. 

"The  bridge  was  long,  with  planks  uptorn, 

The  stream  ran  swift  below, 
Yet  quick  to  dare  this  hope  forlorn, 

Pressed  forward  still  our  foe; 
Before  our  rifles'  deadly  crack 

Full  brave  they  made  a  stand, 
Eut  faltered  on  the  narrow  track 

Ere  thev  had  c-ained  the  land. 


34:       Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians 


"Then,  drenched  with  blood,  they  onward  bore, 

While  still  was  spared  them  breath, 
And  fell  our  fatal  guns  before — 

Unconquered  still  in  death ! 
Thus  darkly  closed  that  deadly  fray 

And  Freedom's  sun  uprose. 
To  shine  on  happier  scenes  today 

When  vanquished  are  our  foes." 

The  pioneer  thus  closed  his  tale, 

Assumed  a  martial  tread, 
And  pausing  there,  so  tall  and  pale, 

Thus  solemnly  he  said  : 
"When  other  foes  our  country  smite. 

And  she's  cast  down  with  doubt, 
I'll  bring  this  rifle  to  the  fight 

And  help  to  drive  them  out." 


Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians        35 


Then  waving  me  a  fond  adieu, 

]\[y  gnest  no  longer  spoke, 
His  presence  faded  out  of  view — 

And  slowly  I  awoke! 
Upon  the  chimney  once  again 

Was  seen  the  hunter's  friend, 
My  fire  in  ashes  long  had  lain 

xlnd  niffht  was  at  an  end. 


1909. 


36        Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians 

King's  Mountain* 

October  7,  1780. 

Fierce  Ferguson  came  marching  down 
And  pitched  his  tents  at  Gilbert  Town, 

Within  the  Old  jN^orth  State ; 
l!^o  man  who  viewed  his  strong  array, 
Upholding  Britain's  iron  sway, 

Could  then  foresee  his  fate. 

He  bade  his  messengers  proclaim 
A  pardon,  in  King  George's  name. 

To  each  repentant  foe ; 
And  talcs  they  told  on  every  hand 
Of  how  the  rebels  brought  the  land 

To  misery  and  woe — 

"Georgia  has  yielded  to  the  Crown, 
The  old  Palmetto  flag  is  down, 

j^ew  England  sues  for  peace; 
Upon  Virginia's  rugged  shore 
Our  reinforcements  daily  pour, 

So  let  vour  treason  cease." 


*Tliough  the  campaign  against  Ferguson  was  organized  in 
North  Carolina,  he  was  two  miles  inside  of  South  Carolina  when 
the  battle  took  place.  In  his  work,  Sonth  Carolina  in  the  Revolu- 
tion, 1775-1780,  pp.  789-790.  McCrady  says  the  American  forces 
at  King's  Mountain  were  "composed  of  200  Virginians,  .510 
North  Carolinians,  and  100  South  Carolinians.  The  small  party 
of  Georgians  present  served  with  Williams." 


Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians       37 


Then  spoke  an  ancient  mountaineer: 
"Xanglit  of  Xew  England  can  we  hear, 

But  trust  her  valiant  sons; 
Those  other  States  will  share  our  fame 
Bj  helping  us  your  pride  to  tame 

With  hunting-knives  and  guns. 

"Our  own  McDowells,  brave  and  true, 
Are  forming  now  a  rendezvous 

On  Quaker  Meadows  fair; 
Ilambright,  Lenoir,  and  Cleveland  stout, 
With  Vance  and  Winston  have  come  out 

To  join  their  forces  there. 

''Shelby  and  Williams,  strong  Sevier, 
And  Chronicle,  devoid  of  fear. 

Are  longing  for  the  fray ; 
And  trusty  allies  from  afar 
Are  marching  to  the  scene  of  war 

With  all  their  brave  arrav. 


4471i6v; 


38        Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians 


"At  home,  in  his  Virginia  glen, 
Bold  Campbell  marshals  now  his  men 

To  join  us  in  the  fight; 
The  State  upon  our  southern  side. 
Where  Lacey's  daring  troopers  ride, 

Is  rising  in  her  might. 

"And  far  away,  on  Georgia  hills, 
Hammond  and  Clarke  resent  the  ills 

Our  country  undergoes ; 
They  even  now,  with  grim  intent. 
Are  on  this  deadly  errand  bent 

To  strike  our  tyrant  foes. 

"So  let  your  gasconading  Scot 
Beware  the  Deckard  rifle's  shot — 

We  know  its  use  full  well ! 
And  how  we'll  track  him  to  his  lair, 
Leaving  his  lifeless  body  there. 

The  future  years  shall  tell." 


Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians       39 


Tho  speaker  paused :  then  saw  afar 
The  crippled  spy,  young  Joseph  Kerr, 

Come  limping  on  his  way; 
He  ran  to  meet  that  scout  so  bold, 
Whose  tidings  (in  a  whisper  told) 

Described  tho  King's  array — 

"Our  foes  decamped  within  the  night 
And  on  yon  mountain's  lofty  height 

Have  fortified  their  post; 
They  revel  there  with  song  and  wine, 
And  even  swear  the  Power  Divine 

Shall  not  molest  their  host." 

The  old  man  answered :  "Let  them  stay ! 
Tomorrow,  at  the  break  of  day, 

We'll  seek  the  Redcoats  there; 
And  Ferguson  shall  sorely  rue 
The  time  his  base  marauding  crew 

First  breathed  our  western  air." 


40       Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians 


The  morrow's  clouds  hung  low  and  still 
As  up  the  steep  and  rugged  hill 

A  thousand  hunters  sped; 
With  rifles  pouring  fire  and  smoke, 
Through  bayonets  they  fiercely  broke, 

And  piled  the  ground  with  dead. 

The  Tory  leader,  in  his  pride, 
With  brave  DePeyster  by  his  side, 

The  fight  would  never  yield ; 
His  silver  whistle  wildly  blew, 
Till,  pierced  with  seven  bullets  through, 

He  dropped  upon  the  field. 

And  many  a  bold  assailant  fell. 
To  save  the  land  he  loved  so  well, 

Before  the  day  was  won ; 
Pale  Chronicle  could  rise  no  more, 
And  Williams  weltered  in  his  gore 

Beneath  the  autumn  sun. 


Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians       41 


When  Ferguson  was  stricken  dead 
His  men  in  consternation  fled 

To  reach  the  level  plain ; 
But  in  the  mountain's  lower  glades 
They  met  with  countless  ambuscades, 

And  sought  the  hill  again. 

Surrounded  there  and  brought  to  bay, 
They  yielded  up  the  hopeless  fray 

To  those  bold  rebel  bands ; 
And  never  more,  with  vaunting  pride. 
In  warlike  guise  they  dared  to  ride 

Throughout  our  mountain  lands. 

May  we,  in  all  the  coming  years, 
Honor  those  stalwart  pioneers 

Who  battled  for  the  right; 
And  may  our  discords  pass  away 
Until  we  reach  that  happy  day 

When  men  shall  cease  to  ficrht. 


1913. 


42       Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians 


The  Turkey  and  the  Judge 

A  Legend  of  the  Pee  Dee  Valley  in  North  Carolina. 

While  scorching  rays  of  the  sultry  sun 
Were  beating  through  the  trees, 

An  old  judge  lay,  one  summer's  day, 
Reclining  at  his  ease. 

His  hairless  pate  was  shining 

Like  the  mighty  gilded  dome 
That  towers  o'er  St.  Peter's, 

ISTear  the  Vatican,  at  Rome; 
And  many  pleasure-seeking  flies 

Had  exercised  that  day 
By  skating  on  his  cranium. 

To  while  their  time  away. 


Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians       43 


A  scarlet  nightcap  then  he  finds, 

To  keep  away  the  flics, 
And  meanders  through  the  garden 

Till  a  shady  nook  he  spies; 
And  then  his  slumber  he  resumes, 

Lulled  bv  the  humming  bees 
And  the  odor  of  the  roses 

That  was  wafted  on  the  breeze. 

Soon  a  stately  turkey-gobbler 

Sauntered  down  the  winding  path. 
When  His  Honor's  flaming  turban 

So  stirred  his  inmost  wrath, 
That  then  and  there  he  gobbled  out: 

"I'll  punch  his  old  bald  head !" 
And,  flying  on  his  prostrate  form, 

He  stnick  the  jurist  dead! 


44       Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians 


'Twas  thus  the  old  colonial  judge 

Was  gathered  to  his  sires ; 
And  even  at  the  present  day, 

Beside  their  cottage  fires, 
The  farmers  of  the  old  Pee  Dee 

With  morbid  fears  grow  pale, 
And  shudder  at  the  rustling  leaves, 

As  they  relate  the  tale — 

Of  how,  at  midnight's  silent  hour, 

Within  the  churchyard  green, 
The  aged  sleeper's  ghastly  form 

In  calm  repose  is  seen ; 
And  how  the  feathered  murderer. 

In  phantom  shape,  is  said 
To  strike  again  the  deadly  blow 

Upon  his  victim's  head. 


1895. 


Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians       45 


Zebulon  Baird  Vance 

Kever  did  Fame  record  a  name 
From  falsehood's  taint  more  free; 

Never  did  sinful  earth  give  birth 
To  son  more  brave  than  he. 

In  peace,  he  was  a  leader  sage, 

In  war,  a  soldier  true; 
ISTo  secret  strife  he  waged  in  life, 

His  actions  all  men  knew. 

ISTo  ill-got  treasure  stained  his  hands, 
'No  selfish  ends  he  sought; 

God  send  our  State  such  men  again— 
Men  who  can  ne'er  be  bought. 


1900. 


46       Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians 


To  Our  Confederate  Dead 

On  Laying  the  Coeneestone  of  the  Coxfedeeate  Monu- 
ment IN  Raleigh  on  Mat  22,*  1894. 

JSToble  martyrs !  gently  sleeping 

On  the  hills  throughout  the  South, 
From  the  lordly  old  Potomac 

To  the  Mississippi's  mouth, 
From  the  wave-beat  shoals  of  Hatteras 

To  Antietam's  bloody  plain, 
In  a  holy  cause  you  suffered — 

For  your  country  you  were  slain. 

ISTow  does  grateful  Carolina 

This  fair  column  proudly  rear 
To  her  chivalrous  defenders 

Who,  without  reproach  or  fear, 
Four  long  years,  in  bloody  conflict. 

With  the  sword  her  rights  maintained — 
Fighting  for  a  land  invaded 

Which  their  fathers'  valor  gained. 


*The  cornerstone  of  the  Confederate  Monument  in  Raleigh 
bears  date  May  20  (the  anniversary  of  the  sisnin?  of  the  Ordi- 
nance of  Secession)  ;  but,  as  May  20  in  1894  fell  on  Sunday,  the 
laying  of  the  cornerstone  took  place  on  the  following  Tuesday, 
May  22. 


Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians       47 


In  tlio  shades  of  Southern  forests 

Many  of  you  now  repose, 
All  unheeding,  in  your  slumbers, 

Earthly  joys  or  human  woes; 
Waiting  for  the  final  summons 

Of  the  Master  up  ahove, 
To  be  joined  with  happy  kindred 

In  the  realms  of  peace  and  love. 


1894. 


48       Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians 


A  Toast 

Here's  to  the  Sons  of  the  Revolution — 
May  they  defend  the  Constitution, 
Uphold  our  ISTation's  ancient  glory, 
And  praise  her  name  in  song  and  story. 


1914. 


Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians       49 


Reveries  of  a  Tar-Heel  Scribe 

In  legends  of  the  Table  Eonnd 
And  xYrthiir's  knights  so  bold, 

Wo  read  of  Caradoc  renowned, 
Bedecked  with  spurs  of  gold. 

lie  fought  for  fame  of  lady  fair, 

Who  was  his  wedded  wife; 
And  lovely  maids  had  champions  there 

To  mingle  in  the  strife. 

Their  swords  in  deadly  combat  rang, 

To  win  the  world's  renown ; 
And  tronbadonrs  their  praises  sang 

In  castle,  field,  and  town. 


50       Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians 


But  now  the  brave  Sir  Lancelot, 

Sir  Ector,  and  Sir  Kay 
'No  longer  tilt  at  Camelot 

Before  tlieir  ladies  gay. 

Those  stalwart  knights  have  jDassed  away 

To  join  the  silent  dead; 
And  I  prefer  sweet  peace's  sway 

To  that  fierce  life  they  led. 

Honor  and  fame  I  may  not  gain 

In  any  warlike  guise, 
And  never  win  a  "sweet  Elaine" 

With  love-light  in  her  eyes. 


Ballads  of  Courageous  Carolinians        51 


For  I'll  not  mount  a  war-horse  strong 

To  make  a  minstrel's  rhyme ; 
Or  kill  men  as  I  ride  along, 

To  pass  away  my  time. 

The  pen,  as  I've  been  often  told, 

Is  mightier  than  the  glaive, 
Wherewith  were  slain  those  knights  of  old 

And  hurried  to  their  grave. 

So  in  my  Carolina  home 

I'll  write  in  peace,  and  never  roam, 

Pass  happy  moments  while  I  may, 

"Welcome  the  friends  who  come  my  way, 

And  fill  my  cup  and  drink  a  toast 

To  those  who  love  their  neighbors  most. 


1914. 


■4U^. 


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